Her life was full of love. Whether in the kitchen or on television or with the people she loved, Julia Child put her heart into everything.
This love for food, also life, was one of the many influences that pushed me into the culinary industry. Before reading her auto-biography I knew very little about Julia. I thought that I knew her life story, but I really knew nothing until I heard it from her. Her quirky, informal, and personal voice leaves no guessing on how she became an instant success as a cookbook writer and television personality. Her voice and very interesting life make "My Life in France" feel nothing like a dry, traditional biography.
"The France Book", written with help from her great nephew, begins when Julia first discovers her love of France and French food. For every chef out there a story lurkers behind their love. The first taste of excellence never leaves a person. For Julia is was a bite of Sole Menuiere in the Norman countryside her first day in France that set her on the path to becoming the "French Chef". One can only become a great cook after becoming a great eater. Julia and Paul became fantastic eaters their first year in Paris. With a new taste for the rich and wonderful French cuisine, Julia longed to learn to cook the dishes. She started with many disastrous attempts, but eventually with enough practice and confidence grew into an accomplished cook.
These first mess ups and flops are what separate the real go getters from the rest. After messing up and messing up only the ones who will truly make it keep trying. Confidence is key in the kitchen. Julia said it best when she described her vile eggs Florentine.
"I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanation over food you make. When one's hostess starts in with self deprecation such as 'Oh, I don't know how to cook...,' or 'Poor little me...,' or 'This tastes awful...,' it is so dreadful to have to reassure that everything is delicious and fine, whether it is or not. Besides, such admissions only draw attentions to one's shortcomings (or self-perceived shortcomings), and make the other person think, 'Yes you're right, this really is an awful meal!' Maybe the cat has fallen into the stew, or the lettuce has frozen, or the cake has collapsed- eh bein tant pis! Usually one's cooking is better than one thinks it is. And if the food is truly vile, as my ersatz eggs Florentine surely were, then the cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile- and learn from her mistakes."I shared my own flops and failures in the kitchen, and I can guarantee more are coming. Julia's knowledge though rings true. When mistakes are made in the kitchen and in life they must be made into learning experiences.
Julia Child lived a life filled with love and good food, and that is all anyone can hope for (it is most certainly what I am striving for). Reading about her passion has made me think more about my own passions. I have chosen a field where I do what I love everyday. If I did not love baking the burns on my arms and dough under my nails would never be worth it. I leave for work happy every morning and come home thoroughly exhausted but happy. For a very short while I worked at a bakery where I was unhappy; it showed me a few things. Life is to short to do things you dislike. What is the point in waking up everyday to work somewhere that make you miserable? Some may say that I am to young to be thinking about these things. Is there really a better time though? I now have my whole life ahead of me to fill with passion and love.
Julia wander in life for a while. She herself said she was lost in life. Until she met Paul and found a passion for food Julia was not the Julia we all know and love.
Julia taught many how to cook, but she has taught me this... A life lived in the purist of good food and passion is a life well lived. So dear readers have no fear. Go wholeheartedly into anything you love. Make no excuses for your mistakes, instead learn from them. And above all enjoy every morsel you eat!
Lindsey
